Meanwhile, across the capital in the Luminaris estate's private study, Julius sat behind his massive oak desk with the satisfied air of a man whose plans were approaching fruition.
Morning sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating maps and documents that represented months of careful preparation.
The locked desk drawer held correspondence with his co-conspirators, financial arrangements with merchant allies, and detailed timelines for the most ambitious political coup the empire had seen in generations.
Everything was proceeding perfectly.
"Father?" Mira entered the study with a knock, her movements carrying the languid satisfaction of someone who had enjoyed a particularly successful evening.
"My dear daughter." Julius looked up from the papers he'd been reviewing. "I trust your dinner with Lord Ambrose proved fruitful?"
"Beyond illuminating." Mira settled into the chair across from his desk, her smile radiant with triumph. "He's everything we hoped for and more."
